Ryu to be activated and start Sunday

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- Hyun-Jin Ryu will come off the disabled list to start Sunday and Roberto Hernandez will start Monday, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Friday.

Ryu was placed on the DL with a strained right glute muscle and will miss the minimum 15 days. His return, coming one day before rosters expand, will require a corresponding roster move. Kevin Correia will move from the starting rotation to long relief.

Mattingly said as long as Ryu doesn't experience a setback, the decision makes sense because of matchups. Ryu has allowed the Padres one run in 19 innings this year. Hernandez has allowed Washington, Monday's opponent, one unearned run in 15 innings this year.

Mattingly also said that Scott Van Slyke's turned right ankle is better than expected. He took batting practice with the team, was available as a pinch-hitter and could start Sunday against left-hander Eric Stults.

Juan Uribe said his hamstring felt fine after Wednesday's running test. The third baseman is eligible to be activated Sunday, but Mattingly hinted the club might wait until Monday, when rosters expand.

Hanley injures leg in tumble at first

SAN DIEGO -- Hanley Ramirez is hurt again.

He slipped rounding first base on a single, tumbled hard on his left leg, initially reported a sore left quad, later a sore groin.

He talked his way into staying in the game at the time, slugged a tying home run two innings later, then was removed for precautionary reasons and wasn't in the clubhouse when reporters arrived after the game.

Ramirez had the double indignity when he led off the sixth inning with that single. His foot slipped rounding first base, he tumbled, then hopped back to first base. On a challenge from San Diego manager Bud Black, Ramirez was called out for being tagged by first baseman Yasmani Grandal while in mid-hop.

Ramirez stayed in the game and that proved to be a crucial decision, as he launched a 2-1 slider from Dale Thayer onto the second-deck balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. building with one out in the eighth.

Ramirez came off the disabled list Sunday from a mild right oblique strain, having earlier missed 30 starts with shoulder, calf and hand injuries that did not put him on the disabled list. He has been determined to stay on the field for the rest of the season, after which he will be eligible for free agency.

'Frustrated' Puig not in starting lineup

SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he left slumping outfielder Yasiel Puig out of Friday night's lineup because he looked frustrated.

Puig has only two home runs since May 28. In addition, Mattingly said, Puig is 1-for-11 with four strikeouts lifetime against Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner.

"It's the right thing to do," said Mattingly, who had Andre Ethier in center field.

But the manager added that Puig, as a high-profile star, needed a chance to "step back and settle down." Mattingly further explained that Puig, as an emotional, high-energy player, needs to "keep himself at a level and consistent place."

Puig struck out pinch-hitting in the seventh inning and is now hitless in his last 19 at-bats.

Mattingly was asked if Puig needs to put in extra work on the field. Puig almost never takes extra batting practice and often is the last player to show up for mandatory pregame work.

"I can't say what he needs," said Mattingly. "I've seen guys here early, I've seen guys in the Hall of Fame that get to the park late, get ready to play, and go. There's not any one way to do it. He has to figure out his way and get ready. He needs the mental approach to keep his body good and his mind right. It's a balance."

Puig tweeted a message to his followers, which translates as: "I thank you to all the fans who continue to rely on me and now I'm going through a bad time but do not worry I'm working to get ready for the last month and the start of the playoffs lets go dodgers #win #baseball # champion #mlb."

Mattingly doesn't want to rush teen phenom Urias

SAN DIEGO -- Don Mattingly said it's not his call, but he said it would be "unfair" to call up 18-year-old left-handed starter Julio Urias from Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga to be a situational left-handed reliever for a Dodgers stretch run.

"He may come up and tear it up, but I don't think it's fair to him," Mattingly said of the Mexican phenom and untouchable prospect. "There are times they come up and it puts them behind. Dee [Gordon] is a good example. He came up maybe before he was ready. Maybe if he [Urias] gets another year, you don't have to do the back-and-forth thing."

Urias, who was allowed to pitch only 54 1/3 innings in 18 starts last year, was allowed to increase that to 82 2/3 innings this year in 19 starts and five relief appearances. In the 137 professional innings, he has 172 strikeouts.

Mattingly conceded he has some concern with J.P. Howell the only left-hander in the bullpen, but less concern because Jamey Wright is effective against left-handed hitters.

Paco Rodriguez is still recovering from a strained teres major muscle with no return date set. Paul Maholm is out for the year with knee reconstruction. Onelki Garcia never pitched this year after offseason elbow and knee surgery.

If first-round pick Chris Reed had been willing to relieve, he might have been in the Major Leagues by now. Right-hander Yimi Garcia is a possible September callup.

Ken Gurnick is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.